Gdańsk - Bazylika św. Mikołaja

Gdańsk is mentioned the Vita of Saint Adalbert of Prague who baptised the inhabitants of "urbs Gyddannyzc" in 997.

Later the site was a duchy of Poland. In 1224/25, merchants from Lübeck were invited but already in 1238 they were forced to leave by Pomeralian Duke Swantopolk II during a war between him and the Teutonic Knights. Migration of merchants to the town resumed in 1257. Significant German influence did not reappear until the 14th century, after the takeover of the city by the Teutonic Knights.

In 1263 Swantopolk II granted city rights ("Lübsches Stadtrecht") to the emerging market settlement. In a document of 1271 the Duke Mestwin II addressed the Lübeck merchants settled in the city as his loyal citizens from Germany.

In 1300, the town had an estimated population of 2,000. While the town was not a really important trade centre at that time, it had relevance in the trade with Eastern Europe. Low on funds, the Pomeranian Samborides lent the settlement to Brandenburg, although they planned to give it to Poland. Poland threatened to intervene, and the Brandenburgians left the town. Subsequently, the city was taken by Danish princes in 1301. The Teutonic Knights were hired by Polish nobles to drive out the Danes.

In 1308, the town was taken by the Teutonic Knights. Subsequently, the Knights took over control of the town. Primary sources record a large massacre carried out by the Knights against the local population. The events were used by the Polish crown to condemn the Teutonic Knights in a subsequent papal lawsuit.

In 1340, the Teutonic Knights constructed a large fortress. In 1358, Danzig joined the Hanseatic League.

After a series of Polish-Teutonic Wars, the Order had to acknowledge that it would hold Pomerelia as a fief from the Polish Crown. The city thrived as a result of increased exports via the Vistula River trading routes. While under the control of the Teutonic Order German migration increased. A new war broke out in 1409, culminating in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 and the city came under the control of the Kingdom of Poland. Only a year later, with the Peace of Thorn, it returned to the Teutonic Order.

In 1440, the city participated in the foundation of the "Prussian Confederation", an organisation opposed to the rule of the Teutonic Knights. Upon the request of the organisation King Casimir IV of Poland reincorporated the territory to the Kingdom of Poland in 1454. This led to a war between Poland and the Teutonic Order. The local mayor pledged allegiance to the King during the incorporation in March 1454 in Kraków. In 1457 the city gained its rights as an autonomous city.

Casimir IV of Poland granted the town the Great Privilege. With this, the town was granted full autonomy and protection by the King of Poland. The privilege removed tariffs and taxes on trade within Poland, Lithuania and Ruthenia.

Gaining privileged access to Polish markets, the seaport prospered while simultaneously trading with the other Hanseatic cities. Being the largest and one of the most influential cities of Poland, it enjoyed voting rights during the royal election period in Poland.

In the 1575 election of a king to the Polish throne, Danzig supported Maximilian II in his struggle against Stephen Báthory. Stephen became monarch but the city shut its gates against him. After the 6 months siege of Danzig in 1577 the city's army was defeated. Since Stephen's armies were unable to take the city by force, a compromise was reached: Stephen confirmed the city's special status and the privileges granted by earlier Polish kings. The city recognised him as ruler of Poland and paid the enormous sum of 200,000 guldens in gold as payoff.

Beside a majority of German-speakers, the city was home to a large number of Polish-speaking Poles, Jewish Poles, Latvians, Flemings, Dutch and Scots. During the Reformation, most German-speaking inhabitants adopted Lutheranism.

The "Battle of Westerplatte" was the first battle of the German invasion of Poland, marking the start of WW II in Europe.

The historic city centre of Gdansk was 90% destroyed at the end of WWII. It was reconstructed by Poles at great expense and today attracts tourists.

The Bazylika św. Mikołaja (St. Nicholas) is the only Gothic brick church in Gdansk that did not fall victim to the flames during the fighting in April 1945.

The first Church of St. Nicholas was probably built around 1185. In 1227, Duke Swantopolk II gave the church to the monks from the Dominican Order.

The construction of the present church was started after 1384. The naves were each 37 m long and 16 m high, the choir 25 m long and 9.30 m wide. The buttresses were inserted into the side aisles. In 1487 the church received a star vault. The tower was raised by an octagonal tambour.

During the turmoil of Reformation, the church was plundered in 1525 and 1576. In 1834 the Dominicans were expelled from Gdansk. The monastery buildings were demolished. St. Nicholas became a Catholic parish church, elevated to basilica minor in 1929.